Antenna designs for wearable heads-up displays

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods for eyeglasses frames and eyeglasses frames assemblies for wearable electronic devices, and particularly relates to systems, devices, and methods that employ an antenna in eyeglasses frames and eyeglasses frames assemblies for wearable heads-up displays. In an embodiment, a pair of eyeglasses includes a first arm housing a radio and an antenna passing internally from the radio to at least a portion of a front eyeglass frame, which includes a first and second rim securely physically coupled by a bridge. A power source is coupled to the first arm or a second arm and electrically coupled to the radio via an electrically conductive path.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present systems, devices, and methods generally relate to eyeglassesframes and eyeglasses frames assemblies (i.e., eyewear) for wearableelectronic devices, and particularly relate to systems, devices, andmethods that employ an antenna in eyeglasses frames and eyeglassesframes assemblies for wearable heads-up displays.

BACKGROUND Description of the Related Art Wearable Heads-Up Displays

A head-mounted display is an electronic device that is worn on a user'shead and, when so worn, secures at least one electronic display within aviewable field of at least one of the user's eyes, regardless of theposition or orientation of the user's head. A wearable heads-up displayis a head-mounted display that enables the user to see displayed contentbut also does not prevent the user from being able to see their externalenvironment. Examples of wearable heads-up displays include: the GoogleGlass®, the Optinvent Ora®, the Epson Moverio®, and the MicrosoftHololens® just to name a few.

The optical performance of a wearable heads-up display is an importantfactor in its design. When it comes to face-worn devices, however, usersalso care a lot about aesthetics. This is clearly highlighted by theimmensity of the eyeglass (including sunglass) frame industry.Independent of their performance limitations, many of the aforementionedexamples of wearable heads-up displays have struggled to find tractionin consumer markets because, at least in part, they lack fashion appeal.Most wearable heads-up displays presented to date are bulky to enableadequate display performance and, as a result, appear very unnatural ona user's face compared to the sleeker and streamlined look of typicaleyeglass and sunglass lenses. However, a traditional eyeglasses frame isproblematic when correct alignment of optical components carried by theeyeglasses frame is a necessity for a high quality display. Becausetraditional eyeglasses have hinges where the arms meet the rest of theframe, any optical components carried on the arms may move relative tothe rest of the frame or to the eye of the user while being worn,resulting in loss of or distortion of the display. There is a need inthe art for means to successfully integrate electronic components intosmaller frames in order to achieve the inconspicuous form factor andfashion appeal expected of the eyeglass frame industry while stillmaintaining a high display quality.

Inter-Device Connectivity

Another important factor in the design of electronic devices, includingwearable heads-up displays, is the integration of components that allowfor communication between devices. Examples of systems that integratesuch inter-device connectivity are smart phones, watches, and headphoneswith Bluetooth® radio antennas. However, the design form factor andlocation of an antenna within an electronic device is important becausethe location of the antenna relative to other components, bothelectronic and non-electronic, within the device impacts thefunctionality of the antenna. In some cases, interference from othercomponents within the device significantly reduces the range, signalstrength, and overall connectivity capabilities of the antenna, thuspreventing the antenna from effectively connecting or communicating withother electronic devices. In many cases, a similar result occursdepending on the distance and orientation of the antenna relative to anexternal device with which the antenna is communicating. As such, thereremains a need in the art for integrating radio antennas into a compact,aesthetically-pleasing form factor for a wearable heads-up display inorder to maximize connectivity, range, and signal strength of theantenna, regardless of the position of an external device relative tothe antenna over a given range.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A first exemplary implementation of an apparatus, such as a glasses formfactor for a wearable heads-up display, may be summarized as including:a front eyeglass frame, the front eye glass frame including a first rimhaving a first upper peripheral portion and a first lower peripheralportion, a second rim having a second upper peripheral portion and asecond lower peripheral portion, and a bridge that physically couplesthe first rim and second rim; a first arm coupled to the first rim andhaving a first frame portion and a first temple portion; a second armcoupled to the second rim and having a second frame portion and a secondtemple portion; and an antenna that extends from at least proximate thefirst frame portion of the first arm along at a least a portion of thefirst rim.

The apparatus may further include: a radio housed in the first templeportion and electrically coupled to the antenna; the antenna extendingalong the first upper peripheral portion or the first lower peripheralportion; a power source housed in the second temple portion andelectrically coupled to the radio by a wire passing through the firstrim, the second rim, and the bridge. In an embodiment, the wire extendsalong the first lower peripheral portion and the second lower peripheralportion and the antenna extends along at least the first upperperipheral portion, while in other embodiments, the wire extends wireextends along the first upper peripheral portion and the second upperperipheral portion and the antenna extends along at least the firstlower peripheral portion.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus includes: the wire passinginternally through the first rim, the second rim, and the bridge; theantenna passing internally along the first rim at least to the bridge; afirst lens mounted in the first rim and a second lens mounted in thesecond rim; the first arm including a first hinge between the firstframe portion and the first temple portion and the second arm includinga second hinge between the second frame portion and the second templeportion.

The antenna may extend underneath the first lens, and the wire mayextend overtop of the first lens.

The antenna may comprise a coaxial cable having a shielded portion andan exposed portion. The shielded portion of the antenna may extend in orthrough the first arm and the unshielded portion of the antenna mayextend in or through the first rim. The unshielded portion of theantenna may have a length equal to a quarter wavelength of a signal tobe transmitted or received by the antenna.

The apparatus may further include display components carried by at leastthe first arm.

A second exemplary implementation of an apparatus, such as a glassesform factor for a wearable heads-up display, may be summarized asincluding: a front eyeglass frame including a first rim having a firstupper peripheral portion and a first lower peripheral portion, a secondrim having a second upper peripheral portion and a second lowerperipheral portion, and a bridge connecting the first rim with thesecond rim; a first arm coupled to the first rim and having a firstframe portion and a first temple portion; a radio housed by the firsttemple portion; a second arm coupled to the second rim and having asecond frame portion and a second temple portion; a power source housedby the second temple portion; a first electrically conductive path thatelectrically couples the radio to the power source, the firstelectrically conductive path extending along a portion of the secondrim, the bridge, and a portion of the first rim; and an antennacommunicatively coupled to the radio, the antenna extending along atleast a portion of the first rim.

The apparatus may further include: the antenna passing internally fromthe radio along the first upper peripheral portion of the first rim toat least the bridge; the first electrically conductive path passinginternally along the second upper peripheral portion of the second rim,the bridge, and the first upper peripheral portion of the first rim; thefirst electrically conductive path passing internally along the secondlower peripheral portion of the second rim, the bridge, and the firstlower peripheral portion of the first rim; the antenna passinginternally from the radio along the first lower peripheral portion ofthe first rim to at least proximate the bridge; the first electricallyconductive path passing internally along the second upper peripheralportion of the second rim, the bridge, and the first upper peripheralportion of the first rim; the first electrically conductive path passinginternally along the second lower peripheral portion of the second rim,the bridge, and the first lower peripheral portion of the first rim; thefirst electrically conductive path passing internally along the secondlower peripheral portion of the second rim, the bridge, and the firstupper peripheral portion of the first rim; and the antenna passinginternally from the radio along the first lower peripheral portion ofthe first rim to at least proximate the bridge.

The antenna may comprise a coaxial cable having a shielded portion andan exposed portion. The shielded portion of the antenna may extend in orthrough the first arm and the unshielded portion of the antenna mayextend in or through the first rim. The unshielded portion of theantenna may have a length equal to a quarter wavelength of a signal tobe transmitted or received by the antenna.

The apparatus may further comprise display components carried by atleast the first arm.

The apparatus may further comprise a first lens mounted in the firstrim; and a second lens mounted in the second rim. The first electricallyconductive path may extend through the first rim overtop of the firstlens and the antenna may extend through the first rim underneath thefirst lens. Alternatively, the first electrically conductive path mayextend through the first rim underneath the first lens and the antennamay extend through the first rim overtop of the first lens.

A wearable heads-up display (“WHUD”) according to some of the teachingsherein may be summarized as including a support structure that in use isworn on a head of a user and a display component carried by the supportstructure. The display component allows the user to view displayedcontent (i.e., on a transparent combiner) but which also permits theuser to see their external environment.

In some cases a transparent combiner is positioned within a field ofview of an eye of the user when the support structure is worn on thehead of the user.

In some implementations the WHUD includes a laser projector carried bythe support structure, the laser projector being is positioned andoriented to scan laser light over at least a first area of thetransparent combiner. The support structure may have the shape andappearance of an eyeglasses frame and the transparent combiner mayinclude an eyeglass lens.

Generally WHUD also includes a communication module for communicationwith other electronic devices. In some implementations, thecommunication module includes an antenna that is at least partiallyintegrated with the support structure. In some implementations, one ormore components of the antenna are integrated within one or more of thesupport arms of a pair of eyeglasses. In some implementations, one ormore components of the antenna are integrated within a rim portion of apair of eyeglasses, the rim portion supporting one or more eyeglasslenses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elementsor acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of variouselements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some ofthese elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improvedrawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements asdrawn, are not necessarily intended to convey any information regardingthe actual shape of the particular elements, and may have been solelyselected for ease of recognition in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of a glassesframe formed according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of a firstarm of a glasses frame according to the present disclosure having anantenna housed in the arm.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary implementationof a glasses frame formed according to the present disclosure and havingan antenna housed in the frame.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the antenna of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary implementationof a glasses frame formed according to the present disclosure and havingan antenna housed in the frame.

FIG. 4B is a perspective of the antenna of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a system incorporating a wearableheads-up display in communication with at least one other electronicdevice in accordance with the present systems, devices, and methods.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a wearable heads-up display inaccordance with the present systems, devices, and methods.

FIG. 7A is a schematic representation of a wearable heads-up displayworn on a head of a user.

FIG. 7B is a schematic representation of the wearable heads-up displayof FIG. 7A showing an exemplary EM pattern generated by an antenna inthe wearable heads-up display.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication module integratedwithin a support arm of a wearable heads-up display according to thepresent systems, devices, and methods.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication module having anantenna integrated within a support arm of a wearable heads-up displayaccording to the present systems, devices, and methods.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication module having anantenna integrated within a support arm of a wearable heads-up displayaccording to the present systems, devices, and methods.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a communication module having anantenna integrated within a support arm of a wearable heads-up displayaccording to the present systems, devices, and methods.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a communication module having anantenna integrated within a rim portion of a wearable heads-up displayaccording to the present systems, devices, and methods.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a communication module having anantenna integrated within a rim portion of a wearable heads-up displayaccording to the present systems, devices, and methods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosedembodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In otherinstances, well-known structures associated with antennas, displays,portable electronic devices and head-worn devices have not been shown ordescribed in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of theembodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, suchas, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open,inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one implementation” or “animplementation” or to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that aparticular feature, structure or characteristic described in connectionwith the implementation or embodiment is included in at least oneimplementation or embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “inone implementation” or “in an implementation” or to “in one embodiment”or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same implementation orembodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or”is generally employed in its broadest sense, that is as meaning “and/or”unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Throughout this specification and the appended claims, the term“carries” and variants such as “carried by” are generally used to referto a physical coupling between two objects. The physical coupling may bedirect physical coupling (i.e., with direct physical contact between thetwo objects) or indirect physical coupling mediated by one or moreadditional objects. Thus the term carries and variants such as “carriedby” are meant to generally encompass all manner of direct and indirectphysical coupling.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are forconvenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of theembodiments.

The various embodiments described herein provide systems, devices, andmethods for eyeglasses frames and eyeglasses frames assemblies forwearable electronic devices, such as a wearable heads-up display,carrying an antenna for inter-device connectivity. Such glasses includea minimal form factor that is aesthetically pleasing and an antennadesign that enables superior range, signal strength, and overallconnectivity capabilities of the antenna.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary implementation of eyewear in the form ofa pair of eyeglasses 100 having a first arm 118, a second arm 126 and afront eyeglass frame 102 formed in accordance with the presentdisclosure. The front eyeglass frame 102 includes a first rim 104 havinga first upper peripheral portion 106 and a first lower peripheralportion 108. The front eyeglass frame 102 further includes a second rim110 having a second upper peripheral portion 112 and a second lowerperipheral portion 114 and a bridge 116 securely physically coupling thefirst rim 104 and the second rim 110. In an implementation, the bridge116 is coupled to the first rim 104 and the second rim 110 between thefirst upper peripheral portion 106 and the second upper peripheralportion 112. In addition, the front eyeglass frame 102 may be formed asa single, unitary, integral piece or as separate components fastenedtogether with one or more adhesives, screws, or other fasteners.

Eyeglasses 100 also include the first arm 118 coupled to the first rim104 and having a first temple portion 122. Temple portion 122 ispreferably hollow in order to house certain components as describedherein. In an implementation, first arm 118 is stiff and inflexible suchthat when first arm 118 is coupled to the front eyeglass frame 102,first arm 118 maintains a fixed position relative to the front eyeglassframe 102. In the illustrated implementation, there is no hingeconnecting the arm 118 of the eyeglasses 100 to the front eyeglassesframe 102, in contrast to traditional eyeglasses, although one of skillin the art will appreciate that other implementations include such ahinge.

Further, in an implementation, the first temple portion 122 has a firsthinge 124 which separates first temple portion 122 into a first anteriorpart 122 a and a first posterior part 122 b, wherein first posteriorpart 122 b folds in towards the front eyeglasses frame 102. In otherwords, the first hinge 124 is coupled between the first anterior part122 a and the first posterior part 122 b such that the first posteriorpart 122 b is rotatable relative to the first anterior part 122 a andthe front eyeglass frame 102 about the first hinge 124 along at leastone axis of rotation passing through the first hinge 124.

The pair of eyeglasses 100 includes a second arm 126 coupled to thesecond rim 110 having a second temple portion 128. Second temple portion128 is hollow. In an implementation, second arm 126 is stiff andinflexible such that when second arm 126 is coupled to the fronteyeglass frame 102, second arm 126 maintains a fixed position relativeto the front eyeglass frame 102. In the illustrated implementation,there is no hinge connecting the second arm 126 of the eyeglasses 100 tothe front eyeglasses frame 102, in contrast to traditional eyeglasses.

In an implementation, second temple portion 128 has a second hinge 130which separates second temple portion 128 into a second anterior part128 a and a second posterior part 128 b, wherein second posterior part128 b folds in towards the front eyeglasses frame 102. In other words,the second hinge 130 is coupled between the second anterior part 128 aand the second posterior part 128 b such that the second posterior part128 b is rotatable relative to the second anterior part 128 a and thefront eyeglass frame 102 about the second hinge 130 along at least oneaxis of rotation passing through the second hinge 130.

Temple portions 122 and 128 each preferably sit on, and extend beyond, arespective ear of a user to hold eyeglasses 100 on a head of the user.The front eyeglass frame 102 further includes a first lens 132 mountedin the first rim 104 and a second lens 134 mounted in the second rim110. As such, front eyeglass frame 102 has the shape and appearance of afront of a traditional pair of eyeglasses. Lenses 132 and 134 may beinserted and held in respective rims 104 and 110 by an interference fit,friction fit, press fit, or by a heat/shrink fit. Each of rims 104 and110 is of a size and shape that can receive the respective lens 132 and134 and hold the lenses 132 and 134 in place without any movement oncethe lenses 132 and 134 are inserted. Assembly of the eyeglasses 100 mayinclude the technology described in U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/609,607 and/or U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/634,654.

In an implementation, eyeglasses 100 are a wearable heads-up displaywherein display-producing components are present within or carried byone or both arms 118 and 126 (e.g., one arm for a monocular display,both arms for a binocular display) and display components are embeddedwithin or carried by one or both lenses 132 and 134. In addition, asdescribed in more detail below, the eyeglasses 100 may include anantenna (not shown) and a power source (not shown) to power circuitry(e.g., processor, radio (e.g., transmitter, receiver or transceivercoupled to one or more antenna)) in order to provide inter-deviceconnectivity between the glasses 100 and external electronic devices,such as a smart phone (not shown) or a ring worn on the user's fingerthat implements the technology described in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/236,060, U.S. Non-Provisional patent applicationSer. No. 15/282,535 (now US Patent Application Publication2017/0097753), and U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.15/799,642 (now US Patent Application Publication 2018/0067621).

In an implementation, the arms 118 and 126 carry certaindisplay-producing components, for example one or more of a projector(e.g., a scanning laser projector with laser diodes), or may be amicro-display (e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic lightemitting diode (OLED) display). The display components embedded in thelenses 132 and 134 may be a waveguide which receives light from thedisplay-producing components and guides the light towards an eye of theuser, or may be a reflector, refractor, or diffractor, for example aholographic optical element. The fixed position of at least the anteriorportions 122 a and 128 a of the arms 118 and 126 relative to the fronteyeglasses frame 102 may enable correct initial and “in-use” positioningof components such as the projector and holographic optical element, inimplementations where such components are used.

Referring now to FIG. 2 with continuing reference to FIG. 1, illustratedtherein is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of a firstarm 218 of a pair of eyewear, such as eyeglasses 100. One of skill inthe art will appreciate that the first arm 218 can be substantiallysimilar to first arm 118 or second arm 126 in FIG. 1. Accordingly, thefeatures described with reference to first arm 218 may be incorporatedinto implementations of first arm 118 or second arm 126, or both, ineyeglasses 100, as well as in other implementations disclosed herein.

First arm 218 includes a first frame portion 220 and a first templeportion 222. Temple portion 222 is hollow and has a first aperture 236at the front to allow for components of a wearable heads-up display tobe inserted through first aperture 236 and placed within eyewear, forexample eyeglasses 100, as described herein. First frame portion 220 ispreferably stiff and inflexible such that when first frame portion 220is coupled to the front eyeglass frame 102, first arm 218 maintains afixed position relative to the front eyeglass frame 102. First frameportion 220 and first temple portion 222 may be formed as a single,unitary, integral component or may be two components which are combinedto make first arm 218. In the implementation illustrated in FIG. 2,first frame portion 220 is attached to first temple portion 222 withscrews but one of skill in the art will appreciate that other fastenersmay be used (e.g., bolts, rivets, adhesive, epoxy, etc.).

First arm 218 further includes a first hinge 224, which separates thefirst temple portion 222 into a first anterior part 222 a and a firstposterior part 222 b. However, in some implementations, the first arm218 does not include the first hinge 224, in which case the anterior andposterior parts 222 a and 222 b are simply anterior and posteriorportions of the temple portion 222.

In FIG. 2, a radio (in other words, a wireless communications module)240 is housed within the first arm 218, and preferably within the firsttemple portion 222 and even more preferably within the first anteriorpart 222 a of the first temple portion 222. In some implementations, theradio 240 may be coupled to a printed circuit board (not shown) housedin the first temple portion 222, in which case, the radio 240 is inelectrical communication with electrically conductive traces of theprinted circuit board (not shown). In an implementation, the radio 240can take the form of a transmitter and, or, receiver, or a transceiver.An antenna, represented by dashed lines 242, is electrically coupled toand in electrical communication with the radio 240. The radio 240 andantenna(s) are operable to provide wireless communications in the radiofrequency and, or microwave frequency bands of the electromagneticspectrum.

In an implementation, the antenna 242 extends from the radio 240 in thefirst anterior portion 222 a, through the first anterior portion 222 ato at least the first posterior portion 222 b. In other implementations,the antenna 242 extends through the first hinge 224 toward a distal end244 of the first arm 218, while in other implementations, the firsthinge 224 is not present and thus the antenna 242 extends through thefirst arm 218 toward the distal end 244 of the first arm 218 withoutpassing through the hinge 224. In still further implementations, theantenna 242 extends from the radio 240 to terminate proximate the distalend 244 of the first arm 218. While the antenna 242 is illustrated inFIG. 2 as a dashed line, one of skill in the relevant art willappreciate that the antenna 242 can be a variety of geometric shapeswith varying cross sections.

For example, in various implementations, the antenna 242 has a circular,ovular, triangular, rectangular, or square cross section along itslength. In addition, in certain other implementations, the antenna 242changes size along its length, for example, a dimension between outersurfaces of the antenna 242 proximate the radio 240 may be greater than,equal to, or less than, a dimension between outer surfaces of theantenna 242 proximate the distal end 244. Still further, the antenna 242can change size and or shape along its length, such that in animplementation, the antenna 242 is continuously tapered along at least aportion of its length or all of its length, while in otherimplementations, a greatest dimension between exterior surfaces of theantenna 242 along its length changes multiple times, such as in a“step-down” configuration. Still further, the antenna 242 can includedifferent cross sections along its length along with one or moretransitions, for example, a portion of the antenna 242 proximate theradio 240 may have a square cross section, a portion of the antenna 242proximate its mid-point may have a triangular cross section, and aportion of the antenna 242 proximate the distal end 244 may have acircular cross section. Accordingly, implementations of the presentdisclosure encompass a wide variety of shapes and configurations of theantenna 242.

In other alternative implementations of the antenna, represented bydashed lines 238, the antenna 238 extends from the radio 240 toterminate in, or proximate to, the first aperture 236. In animplementation where the antenna 238 terminates in the first aperture236, the antenna 238 occupies a portion of, or substantially all of, thefirst aperture 236 and may have a substantially rectangular shape,although other geometric shapes are possible. For example, antenna 238may be a circle, a square, an oval, a triangle, a trapezoid, a pentagon,a hexagon, or an octagon, among others. Further, the antenna 238 may beconnected to radio 240 with a portion of the antenna 238 having any ofthe above shapes, features or configurations disclosed above withreference to the implementation of the antenna represented by dashedlines 242.

In addition, implementations of the present disclosure include anantenna, a power source, and an electrically conductive path or wireplaced in various locations within a front frame of eyewear. Forexample, FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation ofeyeglasses 300, which may be, in an implementation, substantiallysimilar in structure to eyeglasses 100, having an antenna 301incorporated in the eyeglasses 300. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of theantenna 301 showing features of the antenna 301 in more detail. For easeof recognition in the drawings, eyeglasses 300 are represented by dashedlines and certain internal features, such as the frame portions andapertures of arms 318, 326 are not shown, although one of skill in theart will appreciate that such features are present withinimplementations of the eyeglasses 300.

The eyeglasses 300 include first and second arms 318 and 326 coupled toa front eyeglass frame 302. The front eyeglass frame 302 includes afirst rim 304 and a second rim 310 securely physically coupled by abridge 316. A radio 340 is housed internally in a first temple portion322 of the first arm 318, and preferably within a first anterior portion322 a of the first temple portion 322 of the first arm 318. The radio340 is electrically coupled to, or in electrical communication with theantenna 301, which passes internally through the eyeglasses 300 andfront eyeglass frames 302 of the eyeglasses 300 as discussed below.

The antenna 301 extends from the radio 340 at least proximate the firsttemple portion 322 and the first frame portion (not shown) of the firstarm 318, through the first aperture (not shown) and along at least aportion of the first rim 304. In an implementation, the antenna 301terminates at any location within the first rim 304, while in theimplementation illustrated in FIG. 3A, the antenna 301 extends from theradio 340 in the first arm 318 along a first upper peripheral portion306 of the first rim 304 to terminate proximate the bridge 316. In afurther implementation, the antenna 301 terminates in the bridge 316, orin other words, a second distal end 309 is a terminal end of antenna 301and is positioned internally within the bridge 316 when the eyeglassesare in an operational or assembled state. In this configuration, a firstportion 303 of the antenna 301 is housed at least partially in the firsttemple portion 322 of the first arm 318 and a second and third portion305 and 307 of the antenna 301 are housed at least partially in thefirst frame 304, and more preferably within the first upper peripheralportion 306 of the first frame 304.

One of skill in the art will also appreciate that although notspecifically shown, the antenna 301 can extend beyond the bridge 316 toterminate within the second rim 310. For example, in an implementation,the antenna 301 extends from the radio 340, through the first upperperipheral portion 306 of the first rim 304, through the bridge 316 toterminate within either a second upper peripheral portion 312 or asecond lower peripheral portion 314 of the second rim 310. One of skillin the art will also appreciate that the antenna 301 can pass internallyfrom the radio 340, through the first aperture (not shown) of the firstarm 318 to at least a first lower peripheral portion 308 of the firstrim. In such an implementation, the antenna 301 terminates within thefirst lower peripheral portion 308, within the bridge 316 as above, orbeyond the bridge 316 to a location within the second rim 310. Inimplementations where the antenna 301 passes through the first lowerperipheral portion 308 of the first rim 304 and extends beyond thebridge 316, the antenna 301 can terminate within the second upperperipheral portion 312 or the second lower peripheral portion 314 of thesecond rim 310. It is even possible, in an implementation, to extend theantenna from the first arm 318, through the first rim 304, the bridge316, and the second rim 310 to terminate within the second arm 326.

FIG. 3A further illustrates a power source 346 a. In a preferredimplementation, the power source 346 a is housed internally within asecond temple portion 328 of the second arm 326, and more preferablywithin a second anterior portion 328 a of the second temple portion 328of the second arm 326. The power source 346 a may be a portable powersource, such as a battery or a super-capacitor (i.e., capacitor withcapacitance on the order of 0.01 F or greater). In addition, where thepower source 346 a is a battery, the battery can be rechargeable (i.e.,a user inserts an external charging cord into glasses 300 to charge thebattery comprising the power source 346 a), or replaceable (i.e., theglasses 300 include a removable cover for removing and replacing thebattery or batteries comprising the power source 346 a). Inimplementations where the power source 346 a is one or more replaceablebatteries, circuitry may be housed within either of the arms 318 and326, and more specifically within either of the first and second templeportions 322 and 328, to receive the battery or batteries and provide anelectrical connection between the battery or batteries and the radio340. In other words, the circuitry is communicatively coupleable to thereplaceable battery or batteries comprising the power source 346 a.However one of skill in the art will appreciate that in implementationswhere the power source 346 a is a rechargeable battery or asuper-capacitor, the same or substantially similar circuitry may bepresent to connect the power source 346 a to the radio 340. The powersource 346 a is electrically coupled to the radio 340 by wire 348 a totransmit electric current from the power source 346 a to power the radio340, as well as any other electronic components housed within the firsttemple portion 322 of the first arm 318.

In an implementation, the wire 348 a passes internally from the powersource 346 a housed within the second temple portion 328, through asecond aperture (not shown) in the second arm 326, the second rim 310,the bridge 316, the first rim 304, the first aperture (not shown) to theradio 340 in the first temple portion 322. As with the antenna 301, thewire 348 a can pass through any of the elements of the front eyeglassframe 302, irrespective of the location of the antenna 301. For example,in various implementations the wire 348 a passes internally through thesecond upper peripheral portion 312 of the second rim 310, the bridge316, and the first upper peripheral portion 306 of the first rim 304. Inother implementations, the wire 348 a passes through the second lowerperipheral portion 314, the bridge 316, and the first upper peripheralportion 306 of the first rim 304. In alternative implementations, thewire 348 a passes through the second upper peripheral portion 312, thebridge 316, and the first lower peripheral portion 308. Accordingly,implementations of the present disclosure are not limited by the path ofthe wire 348 a through the front eyeglass frame 302.

In other variations, the power source and wire are located within thefirst temple portion 318 along with the radio 340, as represented bydashed lines 346 b and 348 b, respectively. In such an implementation,the wire 348 b preferably does not pass through any portion of the fronteyeglass frame 302. Rather, the power source 346 b is housed proximatethe radio 340 and electrically coupled to radio 340 by wire 348 b. Itmay even be possible to include the power source 346 b within a firstanterior portion 322 b of the first temple portion 322 or a secondanterior portion 328 b of the second temple portion 328. In other words,in an implementation, the power source 346 b is located within the firstanterior portion 322 b proximate a distal end 344 of the first arm 318or within the second anterior portion 328 b of the second temple portion328.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the antenna 301. In other words, FIG.3B illustrates an implementation of the antenna 301 that is capable ofextending through various parts of the front eyeglass frame 302 asdescribed with reference to FIG. 3A. With continuing reference to FIGS.3A-B, the antenna 301 includes the first portion 303, the second portion305, and the third portion 307 extending between first and second distalends 317 and 309. The antenna 301 is preferably a single, unitary,integral piece comprised of portions 303, 305, and 307. In animplementation, the first portion 300 is substantially perpendicular tosecond portion 305 and third portion 307 is substantially perpendicularto second portion 305. The antenna 301 and portions 303, 305, and 306preferably have a size and a shape to extend from the first arm 318,through the first aperture (not shown) and into the front eyeglass frame302. The antenna 301 further includes opposing surfaces 311 and 313,wherein the opposing surfaces 311 and 313 are each substantially flatand planar along at least a portion of their length, or in someimplementations, substantially all of their length. A connector 315 iscoupled to the antenna 301, or formed as a single, unitary, integralcomponent of the antenna 301, proximate the first distal end 317 forenabling connection with the radio 340.

In addition, implementations of the present disclosure include theantenna 301 having a variety of geometric shapes and orientations. Forexample, in various implementations, the antenna 301 has a circular,ovular, triangular, rectangular, or square cross section along itslength, or along at least a portion of its length. In addition, incertain other implementations, the antenna 301 changes size along itslength, for example, a dimension between outer surfaces 311, 313 of theantenna 301 proximate the first distal end 317 may be greater than,equal to, or less than, a dimension between outer surfaces 311, 313 ofthe antenna 301 proximate the distal end 317. Additionally oralternatively, the antenna 301 can change shape along its length, suchthat in an implementation, the antenna 301 is continuously tapered alongat least a portion of its length or all of its length, while in otherimplementations, a greatest dimension between exterior surfaces 311, 313of the antenna 301 along its length changes multiple times, such as in a“step-down” configuration (i.e. a first dimension between outer surfaces311, 313 is greater than a second dimension, which is greater than athird dimension, and so on). Still further, the antenna 301 can includedifferent cross sections along its length along with one or moretransitions, for example, the first portion 303 of the antenna 301proximate the first distal end 317 may have a square cross section, thesecond portion 305 may have a triangular cross section, and the thirdportion 307 may have a circular cross section.

In other implementations, the antenna 301 may include one or more curvedor bent portions along its length, as well as portions which aresubstantially flat and planar. For example, a height of the antenna 301relative to the first distal end 317 may increase from the first distalend 317 to the first portion 303 and remain relatively constant throughthe first portion 303, increase in the second portion 305 and remainconstant in the second portion 305, and remain constant in the thirdportion 307 relative to an upper portion of the second portion 305. Inother implementations, the opposite may be true (i.e. the first distalend 317 is the highest point relative to other portions of the antenna301). In still further implementations, each of the portions 303, 305,and 307 between distal ends 317 and 309 may be curved, recessed, angledor indented relative to other portions. For example, in FIG. 3B, thesecond distal end 309 is angled and of a lower height relative to ahighest point of the third portion 307. Accordingly, implementations ofthe present disclosure encompass a wide variety of shapes andconfigurations of the antenna 301. As such, implementations of thepresent disclosure include the antenna 301 having any potentialgeometric shape and configuration to correspond to implementations ofthe eyeglasses 300.

In an implementation, the antenna 301 is electrically coupled to theradio 340 and operative to wirelessly transmit radio frequency signalsthat embody an established wireless communication protocol, for example,without limitation: Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low-Energy, Bluetooth Smart®,ZigBee®, WiFi®, Near-Field Communication (NFC), or the like. Suchprotocols typically employ radio frequency signals in the range of 1 GHzto 10 GHz (with the exception of NFC, which operates in the 10 MHz-20MHz range) and may include pairing or otherwise establishing a wirelesscommunicative link between an apparatus, such as a wearable heads-updisplay carrying the antenna 301, and another external electronicdevice.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary implementationof eyeglasses 400, which may be, in an implementation, substantiallysimilar in structure to eyeglasses 100, having an antenna 401incorporated in the eyeglasses 400. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of theantenna 401 showing features of the antenna 401 in more detail. For easeof recognition in the drawings, eyeglasses 400 are represented by dashedlines and certain internal features, such as the frame portions andapertures of arms 418 and 426 are not shown, although one of skill inthe art will appreciate that such features are present withinimplementations of the eyeglasses 400.

The eyeglasses 400 include first and second arms 418 and 426 coupled toa front eyeglass frame 402. The front eyeglass frame 402 includes afirst rim 404 having a first upper peripheral portion 406 and a firstlower peripheral portion 408 and a second rim 410 having a second upperperipheral portion 412 and a second lower peripheral portion 414. Thefirst rim 404 is securely physically coupled to the second rim 410 by abridge 416. The first arm 418 includes a first temple portion 422, whichmay be separated into a first anterior portion 422 a and a firstposterior portion 422 b by a hinge 424, as described herein. Similarly,the second arm 426 includes a second temple portion 428, which mayinclude a second anterior portion 428 a.

In the illustrated implementation, a radio 440 is housed within thefirst temple portion 422 of the first arm 418, and more preferably,within the first anterior portion 422 a, although it may also bepossible to house the radio 440 in a first posterior portion 422 b ofthe first temple portion 422. In the illustrated implementation, theantenna 401 is communicatively coupled to the radio 440 and extendsinternally along at least a portion of the first rim 404. In otherimplementations, the antenna 401 extends internally from the radio 440,through part of the first temple portion 422, through the first aperture(not shown), and along the first lower peripheral portion 408 toterminate proximate the bridge 416. In other words, in thisimplementation, a second distal end 411 of the antenna 401 is locatedwithin the first rim 404, and more specifically proximate the firstlower peripheral portion 408 and the bridge 416.

It is also possible for the antenna 401 to extend along the first lowerperipheral portion 408 and beyond the bridge 416 to terminate in eitherthe second upper peripheral portion 412 or the second lower peripheralportion 414. Similarly, it is possible for the antenna 401 to extendalong at least a portion of the first upper peripheral portion 406 toterminate proximate the bridge 416, within the bridge 416, or terminatebeyond the bridge 416 in either the second upper peripheral portion 412or the second lower peripheral portion 414, although not specificallyshown. Further, in an implementation, the antenna 401 extends aroundonly the first rim 404, such that the antenna 401 extends along thefirst lower peripheral portion 408 to terminate with the first upperperipheral portion 406. Accordingly, the antenna 401 may extend alongany portion of the front eyeglass frame 402 and terminate with the same,or a different portion of any part of the front eyeglass frame 402.

In the illustrated implementation, the antenna 401 includes a firstportion 403, second portion 405, and third portion 407. The firstportion 403 is located at least partially within the first templeportion 422, the second portion 405 is located at least partially in thefirst rim 404, and the third portion 407 is located at least partiallywithin the first lower peripheral portion 408 of the first rim 404.

FIG. 4A also illustrates a power source 446 a, which may be a portablepower source, such as a battery or a super-capacitor, as above. Thepower source 446 a is electrically coupled to the radio 440 by a firstelectrically conductive path 447 a extending along a portion of thesecond rim 410, the bridge 416, and a portion of the first rim 404. Inother implementations, the first electrically conductive path 447 apasses internally along the second lower peripheral portion 414, thebridge 416 and the first upper peripheral portion 406 of the first rim404, while in further alternative implementations, the firstelectrically conductive path 447 a passes internally along the secondlower peripheral portion 414 of the second rim 410, the bridge 416, andthe first lower peripheral portion 408 of the first rim 404. The firstelectrically conductive path 447 a may also pass internally along thesecond upper peripheral portion 412, the bridge 416, and the first upperperipheral portion 406 of the first rim 404.

In addition, it is possible to have the power source, represented bydashed lines 446 b, located in the first temple portion 422, which is tosay that the power source 446 b can be located in the same arm 418 asother electronic components, such as the radio 440, or display producingcomponents, and a second electrically conductive path 447 b electricallycouples the radio 440 to the power source 446 b. In this case, thesecond electrically conductive path 447 b extends along at least aportion of the first arm 418, or more preferably, along at least aportion of the first temple portion 422 and does not necessarily extendalong any portion of the front eyeglass frame 402. Further, the firstand second electrically conductive paths 447 a and 447 b may be wires,although other materials capable of transmitting electric energy may beused. Accordingly, one of skill in the art will appreciate that theimplementations of the present disclosure are not limited by theplacement of the electrically conductive paths 447 a and 447 b and theantenna 401 within the eyeglasses 400. Rather, any of the locations ofthe antennas 142, 301 and 401 may be used along with any combination ofthe electrically conductive paths 447 a and 447 b either internal to, orexternal to the eyeglasses 400.

In the illustrated implementation of FIG. 4A, antenna 401 (morespecifically, third portion 407 thereof) extends through the first lowerperipheral portion 408 of first rim 404 and electrically conductive path447 a extends through first upper peripheral portion 406 of first rim404. This arrangement can be advantageous to reduce interference effectsthat electrical power conducted through electrically conductive pathway447 a may have on the performance of antenna 401. For example, in someimplementations, positioning antenna 401 and electrically conductivepathway 447 a in close proximity to one another (and, e.g., in aparallel arrangement) such as in the case where electrically conductivepathway 447 a and antenna 401 (more specifically, third portion 407thereof) are both carried in (i.e., extending through) the same portionof rim 404 (e.g., in the case where electrically conductive pathway 447a and third portion 407 of antenna 401 are both carried in first upperperipheral portion 406 of first rim 404 or both carried in first lowerperipheral portion 408 of first rim 404) can degrade the performance ofantenna 401. Thus, when electrically conductive pathway 447 a is carriedin first upper peripheral portion 406, third portion 407 of antenna 401may advantageously be carried in first lower peripheral portion 408, andwhen electrically conductive pathway 447 a is carried in first lowerperipheral portion 408, third portion 407 of antenna 401 mayadvantageously be carried in first upper peripheral portion 408. Moregenerally, when electrically conductive pathway 447 a extends through afirst portion of rim 404, third portion 407 of antenna 401 mayadvantageously extend through a second portion of rim 404 to maximizethe distance between electrically conductive pathway 447 a and thirdportion 407 of antenna 401 in order to reduce electromagneticinterference therebetween.

One of skill in the art will further appreciate that at least one of thearms 418 and 426 or more preferably at least one of the temple portions422 and 428 may house additional electronic components, such as one ormore display-producing components, a printed circuit board, a processor,and a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium or memory, amongothers. Further, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the arms418 and 426 and the front eyeglass frame 402 may be formed of variousmaterials, for example various plastics (i.e., zylonite or celluloseacetate, cellulose acetate propionate, nylon, blended nylon, castoroil-based plastics) or metals (i.e., stainless steel, aluminum,titanium, monel, flexon, beryllium, and alloys of any of the above incombination with other metals), among others. Further, although theantenna 401 and radio 440 are illustrated herein as being housed in thefirst temple portion 422, one of skill in the art will understand thatthe antenna 401 and radio 440 can be housed in the second temple portion428, or in other locations with the eyeglasses 400.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the antenna 401. In other words, FIG.4B illustrates an implementation of the antenna 401 that is capable ofextending through various parts of the front eyeglass frame 402 asdescribed with reference to FIG. 4A. With continuing reference to FIGS.4A-B, the antenna includes the first portion 403, the second portion405, and the third portion 407. Preferably, the antenna 401 is formed asa single, unitary, integral component comprised of portions 403, 405,and 407 extending between a first distal end 409 and a second distal end411. In an implementation, the second portion 405 is substantiallyperpendicular to the third portion 407. The antenna 401 and portions403, 405, and 407 preferably have a size and a shape to extend from thefirst arm 418, through the first aperture (not shown) and into the fronteyeglass frame 402. The antenna 401 further includes a connector 412proximate the first distal end 4009 for enabling connection with theradio 440.

In some implementations, antenna 401 may advantageously be formed of acoaxial cable comprising an internal conductor surrounded by aconducting shield. In such implementations, first portion 403 and secondportion 405 of antenna 401 may each include both the internal conductorand the conducting shield, but third portion 407 of antenna 401 may havethe conducting shield removed to expose the internal conductor. In otherwords, antenna 401 may be formed of a coaxial cable in which firstportion 403 and second portion 405 are both shielded (e.g.,electromagnetically shielded from other electrical components in thesystem) by the conducting shield of the coaxial cable and in which thirdportion 407 has the conducting shield removed to expose an “active”portion of antenna 401 (i.e., active in the sense of “acting” as anantenna). Advantageously, the active or exposed portion 407 of antenna401 may have a length that is about equal to a quarter wavelength of thesignal(s) being transmitted/received by antenna 401, or more generally,a length that is equal to nλ/2, wherein λ is the wavelength of a signalguided and n is an integer.

In addition, implementations of the present disclosure include theantenna 401 having a variety of geometric shapes and orientations. Forexample, in various implementations, the antenna 401 has a circular,ovular, triangular, rectangular, or square cross section along itslength, or along at least a portion of its length. In addition, incertain other implementations, the antenna 401 changes size along itslength, for example, a dimension between outermost surfaces of theantenna 401 proximate the first distal end 409 may be greater than,equal to, or less than, a dimension between outermost surfaces of theantenna 401 proximate the second distal end 411. Still further, theantenna 401 can change shape along its length, such that in animplementation, the antenna 401 is continuously tapered along at least aportion of its length or all of its length, while in otherimplementations, a greatest dimension between outermost surfaces of theantenna 401 along its length changes multiple times, such as in a“step-down” or a “step-up” configuration (i.e. a first dimension betweenoutermost surfaces is greater than or less than a second dimension,which is greater than or less than a third dimension, and so on). Stillfurther, the antenna 401 can include different cross sections along itslength along with one or more transitions, for example, the firstportion 403 of the antenna 401 proximate the first distal end 409 mayhave a square cross section, the second portion 405 may have atriangular cross section, and the third portion 407 may have a circularcross section.

In other implementations, the antenna 401 may include one or more curvedor bent portions along its length, as well as portions which aresubstantially flat and planar. For example, a height of the antenna 401relative to the first distal end 409 may increase from the first distalend 409 to the first portion 403 and remain relatively constant throughthe first portion 403, increase in the second portion 405 and remainconstant in the second portion 405, and remain constant in the thirdportion 407. In the illustrated implementation, the opposite may betrue. For example, the first distal end 409 is the highest pointrelative to other portions of the antenna 401. In still furtherimplementations, each of the portions 403, 405, and 407 between distalends 409 and 411 may be curved, recessed, angled or indented relative toother portions. Accordingly, implementations of the present disclosureencompass a wide variety of shapes and configurations of the antenna401. As such, implementations of the present disclosure include theantenna 401 having any potential geometric shape and configuration tocorrespond to implementations of the eyeglasses 400.

In an implementation, the antenna 401 is electrically coupled to theradio 440 and operative to wirelessly transmit radio frequency signalsthat embody an established wireless communication protocol, for example,without limitation: Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low-Energy, Bluetooth Smart®,ZigBee®, WiFi®, Near-Field Communication (NFC), or the like. Suchprotocols typically employ radio frequency signals in the range of 1 GHzto 10 GHz (with the exception of NFC, which operates in the 10 MHz-20MHz range) and may include pairing or otherwise establishing a wirelesscommunicative link between an apparatus, such as a wearable heads-updisplay carrying the antenna 401, and another external electronicdevice.

The various implementations described herein provide a compact,aesthetically pleasing glasses form factor that includes an antenna anda radio for enabling inter-device connectivity. Further, because alocation, orientation and position of the antenna is adjustable relativeto other electrical components, such as a power source and anelectrically conductive path, interference between the antenna and othercomponents within the eyeglass is minimized. As a result,implementations of the present disclosure allow for optimization of theconnectivity, range, and signal strength of the antenna whentransmitting or receiving signals from other electronic devices. Inparticular, implementations of the present disclosure enable optimalconnectivity, range, and signal strength characteristics for the antennaand the radio regardless of the position of an external device within agiven range.

Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated therein is a system 510 incorporatinga wearable heads-up display (“WHUD”) 500 in wireless communication withat least one other electronic device in accordance with the presentsystems, devices, and methods. In particular, in this implementation theWHUD 5100 may be in wireless communication with one or more portableelectronic devices 520, such as a smartphone 522 or a laptop 524. Otherexemplary portable electronic devices could include an audio player, atablet computer, an ebook reader, and so on.

As shown, in this implementation the WHUD 5100 may also be in wirelesscommunication with one or more wearable electronic devices 530, such asan electronic ring 532 or other wearable device 534. Generally, awearable electronic device may be attached or coupled to the user by astrap or straps, a band or bands, a clip or clips, an adhesive, a pinand clasp, an article of clothing, tension or elastic support, aninterference fit, an ergonomic form, etc. Other examples of wearableelectronic devices include digital wristwatches, electronic armbands,electronic ankle-bracelets or “anklets”, hearing aids, and so on.

As also shown, in this implementation the WHUD 5100 may also be inwireless communication with one or more other electronic devices 540that are generally considered to be non-portable electronic devices,such as a computer workstation 542. Other examples of such electronicdevices could include objects with a large mass or which are generallydifficult for a user to hold and carry either due to the size andconfiguration, or being attached to something, and could include smarttelevisions, vehicles, smart devices (e.g., appliances such as smartfridges, smart thermostats, or hazardous condition detectors such assmoke alarms), and so on.

Generally speaking, the WHUD 5100 and electronic devices 520, 530, and540 are in wireless communication to permit the exchange of datatherebetween, which could include the exchange of control data, mediadata, information to be displayed to the user of the WHUD 5100 (i.e.,via the display), or other types of data. For instance, the electronicring 532 could be in wireless communication with the WHUD 5100 tocontrol information being displayed on the transparent combiner of theWHUD 5100. This could allow a user to cycle through a menu of possiblecommands, for instance, or take some other action.

In some instances, one or more of the electronic devices 520, 530, and540 could be in wireless communication with each other, regardless ofwhether they are in communication with the WHUD 5100. For instance, theelectronic ring 532 could be in wireless communication with thesmartphone 522 to control one or more aspects of the smartphone 522.

Generally speaking, wireless communication within the system 510 can beaccomplished using any suitable communication protocol. Somecommunication protocols may be particularly suitable for use within thesystem 510, since they may be low power consuming protocols that arewell suited for short distance wireless communication. Two examplesmight include ZigBee and Bluetooth®. For instance, one or more of theelectronic devices 520, 530, and 540 and WHUD 5100 may include aBluetooth® Low Energy chip having a signal frequency of about 2400 MHzto about 2500 MHz.

In some implementations, wireless communication within the system 510can operate using signals having a frequency in a band of 100 MHz, 200MHz, 300 MHz, 400 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz.

One of the challenges with facilitating wireless communication withinthe system 510 relates to the performance of the various components usedto send and receive wireless signals, particularly the antenna.

Generally speaking, an antenna is a function of its environment, and itsperformance can vary greatly depending on whether the antenna is beingused is a laboratory environment with minimal interference, or in thereal world in the presence of a user. Quite notably, an antenna tends tobe affected by everything around it, including materials and surroundingequipment in an electronic device that includes the antenna, but alsoaspects of the surrounding environment, including the presence of theuser. Specifically, the radiated electromagnetic (EM) fields from anantenna interact with nearby materials, which can alter the frequency ofoperation of the antenna or change its input impedance. This, in turn,can induce a mismatch with the driving power amplifier (e.g.,transmitter) or receiving low noise amplifier (e.g., receiver). As aresult, to develop reliable antenna performance, the antenna should betested in its final environment (or a reasonable approximation thereof)and impedance matched so that it operates well within the desiredfrequency band. A poorly matched antenna on the other hand can degradethe system link budget by 10-30 dB thus severely reducing the overalllink range.

For the system 510 described above, it is generally desirable tounderstand the various use cases around how a user will be interactingwith the WHUD 5100 and the other electronic devices 520, 530, and 540.For example, some wearable components such as the electronic ring 532may be worn by the user of the WHUD 5100 at times, while others such asa smartphone 522 may typically be carried in a pocket. Similarly, thecommunication distance between a user of the WHUD 5100 and theelectronic devices 520, 530, and 540 can vary. In some cases, it may besufficient to have a working communication range of approximately 10meters or less to facilitate effective wireless communication betweenthe WHUD 5100 and one or more electronic devices 520, 530, and 540. Insome implementations it may be desirable to have a higher working rangegreater than 10 meters, greater than 20 meters, or even larger. In somecases, it may be suitable to have a smaller working range, such as lessthan 5 meters, less than 3 meters, and so on. In some cases theeffective working communication range can be varied by adjusting thepower of the communications modules within the system 510.

Turning now to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is a perspective view of anexemplary WHUD 6100 operable for wireless communication with electronicdevices, such as electronic devices 520, 530 and 540. WHUD 6100 as shownincludes elements such as a projector 6111 (i.e., a laser module)adapted to output a visible laser light 6121 (e.g., in at least a firstnarrow waveband), and optionally an oscillating mirror or reflector6512. In some cases, the projector 6111 may be operable to outputinfrared laser light 6122. The WHUD 6100 also includes a displaycomponent that enables the user to see displayed content but also doesnot prevent the user from being able to see their external environment.As shown, the display component could include a transparent combiner6130 (aligned with an eyeglass lens 6129) which redirects the laserlight 6121 and 6122 towards an eye 6190 of a user. In someimplementations, the WHUD 6100 may include at least one infraredphotodetector 6150 responsive to infrared laser light 6122.

Depending on the implementation, the visible laser light 6121 maycorrespond to any of, either alone or in any combination, red laserlight, a green laser light, and/or a blue laser light.

WHUD 6100 also includes a support frame 6180 that has a general shapeand appearance or a pair of eyeglasses, so that transparent combiner6130 is positioned within a field of view of an eye 6190 of the userwhen support frame 6180 is worn on a head of the user. The support frame6180 typically includes two support arms 6181, 6182 extending rearwardlyfrom a front rim portion 6183 that supports the eyeglass lens 6129 andtransparent combiner 630. The rim portion 6183 is normally supported bya nose of the user, while the support arms 6181, 6182 are normallysupported by the ears of the user.

WHUD 6100 further includes a digital processor 6160 communicativelycoupled to photodetector 6150 (in this example), and a non-transitoryprocessor-readable storage medium or memory 6170 communicatively coupledto digital processor 6160. Memory 6170 stores processor-executableinstructions and/or data that, when executed by processor 6160, cancause processor 6160 to take actions, such as determining one or moreposition(s) and/or movement(s) of eye 6190, determining what informationto display on the transparent combiner 6130, and managing communicationbetween the WHUD 6100 and one or more electronic devices 520, 530 and540.

In particular, WHUD 6100 further includes a communication module 6200for wireless communication with other electronic devices, and which maybe communicatively coupled to the digital processor. Generally speaking,according to the teachings herein, one or more components of thecommunication module 6200 may be integrated within one or morecomponents of the support frame 6180. For instance, the communicationmodule 6200 may be at least partially integrated within one or both ofthe support arms 6181, 6182. The communication module 6200 may be atleast partially integrated within the rim portion 6183 of the supportframe 6180. In some examples, the communication module 6200 may be atleast partially integrated within some combination of the support arms6181, 6182 and the rim portion 6183.

Generally speaking, the communication module 6200 includes a radiofrequency (RF) antenna for the signals transmitted and received via thecommunication network. For example, FIG. 7A shows the WHUD 7100 mountedon a head 760 of a user, with the support arm 7182 being supported by anear 762 and the rim portion 7183 being supporting by a nose 763. FIG. 7Bon the other hand shows an exemplary EM pattern “R” generated by anantenna in the WHUD 7100.

Turning now to FIG. 8, the WHUD 8100 mounted on the user's head 860 isshown schematically in greater detail. As shown, the WHUD 8100 ismounted on the head 860, with the arm supports 8181, 8182 beingsupported by ears 861, 862 (respectively) and the rim portion 8183 beingsupported by nose 863.

Shown enlarged in is a schematic cross-section of the arm portion 8181having an integrated communication module 8200 therein. In particularthe arm support 8181 generally includes a first body member 8186 thattypically extends lengthwise of the arm support 8181, and which servesas a housing for components of the WHUD 8100, such as a printed circuitboard (PCB) 8184, which may include the digital processor 8160, memory8170, and so on. The first body member 8186 may be made of any suitablematerial, such as a plastic or a metal.

The arm support 8181 also includes a second body member 8202 which isdesigned to serve as a resonating element or antenna of thecommunication module 8200. As shown schematically, the second bodymember 8202 may be electrically and/or mechanically isolated from thefirst body member 8185. The second body member 8202 may in someimplementations comprise a conductive material, such as a metal plateelement that resonates in response to instructions received from thedigital processor 8160 to send wireless signals to one or moreelectronic devices 520, 530 and 540. Moreover, the second body member8202 may also resonate in response to signals received from theelectronic devices 520, 530, and 540 to act as a receiving antenna.

Turning now to FIG. 9, illustrated therein is an example of an armsupport 9182 a having integrated components of the communication module.In particular arm support 9182 a includes PCB 9184 which is mounted tothe first body member (not shown in FIG. 9), such as via mounting screws9185. In this implementation, the communication module includes a wireantenna 9204 which is housed within the arm support 9182 a. In someimplementations, the wire antenna 9204 may be coupled to the second bodymember 9202 to cooperate therewith as an antenna for the WHUD.

Turning now to FIG. 10, illustrated therein is an example of another armsupport 10182 b having integrated components of the communicationmodule. In this implementation, the arm support 10182 b includes thewire antenna 10204 as well as a grounding element 10206 for increasingthe ground plane.

Turning now to FIG. 11, illustrated therein is an example of another armsupport 11182 c having integrated components of the communicationmodule. In this implementation, the second body portion 11202 serves asthe antenna for the communication module without requiring an internalwire antenna.

Since the antenna will be worn but a user, it will be in close proximityto the user's body. By being in close proximity to the user's body, theuser's body can affect the input impedance. In some cases, the length ofthe antenna can be designed to minimize this input impedance. Inparticular, the length of the antenna can be designed to considerimpedance matching. Generally, an ideal length of the antenna is nλ/2,wherein λ is the wavelength of a signal guided.

In addition to selecting an appropriate length for the antenna, matchingwill also be provided by an impedance matching module on the PCB.

One of the challenges observed, however, with some of the precedingimplementations relates to the nature of antennae. In particular, asdiscussed above an antenna is a function of its environment, and itsperformance can vary greatly depending on the operating environment. Indesigning a WHUD, however, it can be difficult to develop a comfortable“one size fits all” arrangement where the size and shape of all thecomponents, particularly the arm supports, is constant. In fact, incontrast, it has been observed that it may be desirable to offer WHUDsin multiple shapes and sizes to accommodate different sizes and shapesof the heads of different users.

Returning to FIG. 8, this means that the respective lengths of the armportions 8181, 8182 is sometimes different, in some case quitedifferent. As a result, this can have a dramatic impact on theperformance of the antenna. Although it may be possible to have a secondbody portion 8202 that is the same for each of the different sizes ofarm portions 8181, 8182, this can lead to aesthetic challenges asdifferently sized WHUDs 8100 may have a vastly different appearance.

According to another implementation of the teachings herein, one or moreof the arm supports 8181, 8182 may incorporate a multi-piececonstruction, wherein the antenna elements of the communication module8200 are incorporated in first piece that has a common size and shape,and the other portion of the arm supports 8181, 8182 can vary in length.

One example of such an embodiment is shown schematically in FIG. 12. Inthis example, the arm support 12182 d includes a first forward portion12187, and a second rearward portion 12188. The forward portion 12187may be positioned adjacent (or even be part of) the rim support, and mayinclude the PCB 12184. As shown, the forward portion 12187 includes anantenna 12206 (shown here as a spiral antenna). The forward portion12187 can generally have a consistent shape and size, regardless of thesizing required to accommodate a particular head of a user.

The rearward portion 12188 of the arm support 12182 d, on the otherhand, can have a size and shape that is selected to accommodate thesizing requirements for the user's head. For instance, in larger WHUDs,the rearward portion 12188 could be longer, while in smaller WHUDs therearward portion 12188 could be smaller.

In some implementations, the rearward portion 12188 could include a bodymember 12202 a (i.e., a metal plate), which could be used to extend theground plane.

As shown in FIG. 12, in this implementation the other arm support 12181could support a power source 12189 (i.e., a battery) which providespower to the components in the arm support 12182 d.

Turning now to FIG. 13, illustrated therein is a close up view of anexemplary implementation, wherein the forward portion 13187 may be partof or coupled to the rim support 13183. In this implementation, theantenna 13206 is located in the front area of the forward portion, andis coupled to the PCB 13184 via a flex connector.

Throughout this specification and the appended claims, the term “about”is sometimes used in relation to specific values or quantities. Forexample, “light within a bandwidth of about 10 nm or less.” Unless thespecific context requires otherwise, the term about generally means±15%.

The above description of illustrated implementations and embodiments,including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the implementations or embodiments to the preciseforms disclosed. Although specific implementations or embodiments of andexamples are described herein for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized by those skilled inthe relevant art. The teachings provided herein of the variousimplementations or embodiments can be applied to other portableelectronic devices, and not necessarily the exemplary eyeglass frames orwearable heads-up displays generally described above.

For instance, the foregoing detailed description has set forth variousimplementations of the devices and/or processes via the use of blockdiagrams, schematics, and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams,schematics, and examples contain one or more functions and/oroperations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that eachfunction and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, orexamples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a widerange of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combinationthereof. In one implementation, the present subject matter may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs).However, those skilled in the art will recognize that theimplementations or embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part,can be equivalently implemented in standard integrated circuits, as oneor more computer programs executed by one or more computers (e.g., asone or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one ormore programs executed by on one or more controllers (e.g.,microcontrollers) as one or more programs executed by one or moreprocessors (e.g., microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually anycombination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing thecode for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill ofone of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of thisdisclosure.

When logic is implemented as software and stored in memory, logic orinformation can be stored on any computer-readable medium for use by orin connection with any processor-related system or method. In thecontext of this disclosure, a memory is a computer-readable medium thatis an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or meansthat contains or stores a computer and/or processor program. Logicand/or the information can be embodied in any computer-readable mediumfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system,processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch theinstructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or deviceand execute the instructions associated with logic and/or information.

In the context of this specification, a “computer-readable medium” canbe any element that can store the program associated with logic and/orinformation for use by or in connection with the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, and/or device. The computer-readable medium can be,for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus or device.More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablemedium would include the following: a portable computer diskette(magnetic, compact flash card, secure digital, or the like), a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory), a portable compactdisc read-only memory (CDROM), digital tape, and other nontransitorymedia.

Many of the methods described herein can be performed with variations.For example, many of the methods may include additional acts, omit someacts, and/or perform acts in a different order than as illustrated ordescribed.

The various implementations or embodiments described above can becombined to provide further implementations or embodiments. To theextent that they are not inconsistent with the specific teachings anddefinitions herein, all of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent applicationpublications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patentapplications and non-patent publications referred to in thisspecification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet which areowned by Thalmic Labs Inc., including but not limited to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/236,060, U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 15/282,535 (now US Patent ApplicationPublication 2017/0097753), U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser.No. 15/799,642 (now US Patent Application Publication 2018/0067621),U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/609,607, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/634,654 are incorporatedherein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the implementationsor embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems,circuits and concepts of the various patents, applications andpublications to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the implementations orembodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, inthe following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limitthe claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specificationand the claims, but should be construed to include all possibleimplementations or embodiments along with the full scope of equivalentsto which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are notlimited by the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a front eyeglass frame, including: a first rim, a second rim, and a bridge connecting the first rim with the second rim; a first arm coupled to the first rim; a radio housed by the first arm; a second arm coupled to the second rim; circuitry communicatively coupleable to a power source, the circuitry housed by the second arm; a first electrically conductive path that electrically couples the radio to the circuitry, the first electrically conductive path extending along a portion of the second rim, the bridge, and a portion of the first rim; and an antenna communicatively coupled to the radio, the antenna extending along at least a portion of the first rim.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first rim includes a first upper peripheral portion and a first lower peripheral portion, and wherein the second rim includes a second upper peripheral portion and a second lower peripheral portion.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the antenna passes internally from the radio along the first upper peripheral portion of the first rim to at least the bridge.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first electrically conductive path passes internally along the second upper peripheral portion of the second rim, the bridge, and the first lower peripheral portion of the first rim.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first electrically conductive path passes internally along the second lower peripheral portion of the second rim, the bridge, and the first lower peripheral portion of the first rim.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the antenna passes internally from the radio along the first lower peripheral portion of the first rim to at least proximate the bridge.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first electrically conductive path passes internally along the second upper peripheral portion of the second rim, the bridge, and the first upper peripheral portion of the first rim.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first electrically conductive path passes internally along the second lower peripheral portion of the second rim, the bridge, and the first upper peripheral portion of the first rim.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first electrically conductive path passes internally along the second upper peripheral portion of the second rim, the bridge, and the first upper peripheral portion of the first rim.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the antenna comprises a coaxial cable having a shielded portion and an exposed portion.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the shielded portion of the antenna extends in the first arm and the unshielded portion of the antenna extends in the first rim.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the unshielded portion of the antenna has a length equal to a quarter wavelength of a signal to be transmitted or received by the antenna.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: display components carried by at least the first arm.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first lens mounted in the first rim; and a second lens mounted in the second rim.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first electrically conductive path extends through the first rim overtop of the first lens and the antenna extends through the first rim underneath the first lens.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first electrically conductive path extends through the first rim underneath the first lens and the antenna extends through the first rim overtop of the first lens. 